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  Two  influencers drowned when their boat capsized after a large wave struck following a yacht party in Brazil, as they had refused to wear life jackets. Victims Aline Tamara Moreira de Amorim, 37, and Beatriz Tavares da Silva Faria, 27, were found dead after their overcrowded boat sank off a stretch of coast known as the Devil's Throat.  Now nearly a month after the drownings, police say the women died when their overloaded boat was swamped as it returned to the Brazilian coast as they left the party.  Sao Vincente police commissioner Marcos Alexandre Alfino says the influencers had refused to wear life jackets, local media reported on 25th October.  He said: “Some didn’t want to put them on because they were taking selfies. They said that they get in the way of their tanning.” Beatriz  The revelation came after the boat's skipper, not named by police, had given extensive interviews to police over the deaths.  The captain, one of five survivors, said...

  The  Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has said that it is not responsible for the delay in the burial of the late Senator who represented Anambra South district, Chief Ifeanyi Uba, in his home town, Nnewi North council of Anambra State. It stated that no one should link the delay to the IPOB leader, stressing that IPOB and Kanu should be left out of the delay. IPOB in a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, explained that the reason for the delay of the burial is not known to it, adding that the delay is not connected with the kidnapping and rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria. It said; “We have the information of those who bankrolled and sponsored the abduction and renditioning of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria. And we will take an appropriate response at the right time. For now, we are much more concerned with other pressing matters to IPOB. “It is a known fact that late Senator Ifeanyi Uba stepped on ...

  Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives from Abia State, was granted bail of N500,000 by the Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, Abuja, after he was caught on camera assaulting a Bolt driver Stephen Abuwatseya. During the court session on Wednesday, Ikwechegh faced three counts bordering on abuse of office, assault, and threat to life. The case was filed by the office of the Inspector-General of Police while the presiding judge is His Worship Abubakar Umar Sai’id. Ikwechegh appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  His counsel made an oral application for bail, which was granted by His Worship Abubakar Umar Sai’id. His bail was set at N500,000, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide utility bills as proof of residence. The case was subsequently adjourned to November 8. It was gathered that the Abuja-based Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya had filed charges against Alex Ikwechegh, o...

  A  17-year-old female student of the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, Jesse Chidiebere, has been arrested by the Orji Police Divisional Headquarters, for faking her own kidnap and death. This hoax caused significant distress to her family and the university community. On October 26, 2024, at approximately 10pm, police received a distress call from concerned citizens reporting Chidiebere missing. A message sent from her WhatsApp account claimed she had been abducted and killed, urging her family to go to the Orji Police Station for confirmation. In response, police operatives launched a search and discovered the following morning, October 27, 2024, that Chidiebere was alive and had fabricated the story as a prank on social media. An investigation is ongoing to ascertain her motives for such mischief and would certainly face prosecution. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has expressed concern over such irresponsible behaviour, which...

  The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has suspended one of its pastors, Pastor Ayorinde AdeBello, and Deacon Oke Mayowa, from office over allegations of homosexuality against young people in the church. The  church has also directed the Special Assistant to the General Overseer on Administration to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegation within two weeks. In an internal memo dated 28th of October, 2024 with Ref: RCCG/NO/s.04/13/vol.1 and titled: “Investigation and Suspension Regarding Allegations of Homosexuality,” addressed to Special Assistant to the General Overseer on Administration, the church stated that its doctrine does not allow or tolerate any act of homosexuality. Signed by RCCG National Overseer, Pastor Sunday Akande and copied to all National organs in the church, it advised that the situation must be handled with care and integrity, and in accordance with the their values as a church.  “This memo serves to inform you of serious allegatio...

Ademola Lookman secured 14th position in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings at Monday’s glamorous ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, as Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernández claimed the prestigious prize. The Atalanta striker, who was the only African nominee among the 30-man shortlist released by France Football on October 26, earned recognition following his historic hat-trick that secured his club’s first-ever Europa League trophy. “It’s special being on the list and even more special being the only African,” Lookman told BBC Sport Africa. “We have achieved great things this year, with club and country. To be recognised as one of the contenders is a great achievement.” The 27-year-old’s impressive season saw him score 11 goals and provide seven assists in 31 Serie A games, while also scoring three goals to help Nigeria reach the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final. The  final rankings saw Rodri claim the top spot, followed by Kylian Mbappe (sixth), Lautaro Martinez (seve...

A  33-year-old woman has been arrested over the alleged theft of jewellery valued at over $60,000 from her employer, after working as a maid for less than 24 hours in Lagos state. On Sunday, October 27, Ms Alice Udey, who allegedly goes by several other fake names, was taken into custody at the Ikoyi Police Station, Lagos, in connection with the theft that occurred over a year ago, police officials said.   Before her arrest, the police carried out an extensive 16-month search that has exposed what authorities suspect is an organised crime ring targeting rich Nigerian households. According to police, Udey got employment as a domestic worker after the employer recruited her from an agency. However, she allegedly disappeared the next day along with valuable jewelry belonging to her employer. The suspect is expected to face charges related to theft while investigation continues.

  Wunmi, the  widow of late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has expressed readiness to finally conduct a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test to determine the paternity of their son, Liam. Recall that Mohbad died at the age of 27, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media. Wunmi had also been at loggerheads with the deceased singer’s father, Joseph Aloba, over the issue of conducting a DNA test for his grandson. In the application filed by the legal team to Joseph, the family sought an order to serve Wunmi by posting all the originating processes and other processes in the suit on the last-known address of the respondent. However, the family’s legal team, led by Emmanuel Oroko, argued that attempts to serve Wunmi failed. The Magistrates Court, during its sitting on July 9, 2024, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, directed both parties to explore an alternative dispute resolution, leading to closed-door negotiati...

  The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a lawmaker for assaulting a driver in the nation’s capital. Police  spokesperson for the Command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed that Alex Mascot Ikwechegh “is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning.” In a statement on Monday, the Command said the Bolt driver Stephen Abuwatseya reported the matter to the Command. In a  now-viral   video, the House of Representatives member was seen slapping the Bolt driver. Ikwechegh represents Aba North & South Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). A  furious Ikwechegh was captured in the video in casual wear as he lounged in his compound somewhere in the FCT on Sunday evening. Going by the conversation recorded in the viral video, the lawmaker had ordered some snails from a vendor who engaged the services of the e-hailing App driver to deliver the goods. A heated disagreement ensued ...

  Nigerian actress, Nkechi Blessing has issued a very public apology to the Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners of Nigeria (TAMPAN) and its president, Bolaji Amusan popularly known as Mr. Latin, for her previous criticisms. The apology comes after a prolonged feud between Nkechi and TAMPAN, stemming from her condemnation of Baba Ijesha’s alleged child abuse case in 2021.  Nkechi, with colleague Iyabo Ojo, had spoken out against Baba Ijesha’s actions, which led to backlash from some TAMPAN members, including Yomi Fabiyi and Lege Maimi. In response, veteran actor Jide Kosoko barred directors from working with Nkechi and Iyabo Ojo prompting Nkechi to mock the association’s decision.  Retracing her steps at the recent Celebrities Entertainment Awards in Canada, Nkechi took to the stage to offer a heartfelt apology to Mr. Latin and TAMPAN.  In a viral video, she was seen kneeling with a microphone, expressing remorse for her past actions. Kneeling down, she was...

  A  young Nigerian woman who has been identified as Precious Yusuf has been found dead in Asaba, in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. The body of the deceased was found by the roadside opposite Falcon Club, Asaba. Her waist region was covered with a black and white cloth, suggestive of alleged mutilation of her private part for ritual purposes. She had reportedly gone to visit a guy she met on a dating site, iHappy Dating, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at Koka Junction, Asaba, the state capital and never returned. According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the deceased informed a friend of her movement. The statement read:  “Delta State Police Command condole with the family of Miss Precious Yusuf, 23, whose corpse was found along DLA Road opposite Falcon Club Asaba. “On the 24th of October 2024 at about 0840 hours, the DPO of A division Asaba received a distress call that the corpse of a young lady was found at D...

  The  Enugu State Police Command announced on Sunday that it has completed its investigation into the shooting and death of Chikezie Okezie Nwamba, a local Ogene musician popularly known as Igbo-Jah. The police command added that an orderly room trial of the killer inspector has commenced. It also said that the Commander of the Anti-Cult Tactical Squad unit, SP Ekeleme Chidobe, has been redeployed to allow a thorough review of the operations of the unit. Recall that on Saturday that the state police command had identified Inspector Ozonwanji Joseph as the policeman who shot and killed Igbo-Jah after he visited the Anti-Cult Tactical Squad Unit headquarters on Friday evening. However, a statement on Sunday by the command's spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said the police commissioner, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has again appealed to the residents of Enugu State to support the police. He assured them that justice will be surely served in the murder of the musician. “ Following the trag...

  The  Nigeria Police Force, Ogun State Command has kick started an investigation after a student of the Obada Idi-Emi High School in the Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, identified simply as Ariyo, died after allegedly carrying out a corporal punishment meted by his teacher. Activist, Adetoun, who shared the story online said the teacher had bought a dustbin which she placed in the classroom and then appealed to the students not to break it. She said jokingly, the deceased replied saying  ‘’Is it not our money that was used to buy it?''. Adetoun said the teacher found the response offensive and reported to the principal who allegedly instructed that the student be punished. Acting on the principal’s instruction, the teacher allegedly flogged Ariyo 162 strokes of the cane. She said while still flogging him, Ariyo began to throw-up, collapsed and hit his head on the floor. The activist alleged that the teachers left him unattended to for a while until they n...

  Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, in company of top officials of the State Government, on Saturday, visited the family of the murdered Ogene musician, Chikezie Okezie Nwamba popularly known as Igbo-Jah. It was gathered that the  popular musician was shot dead by a policeman on Friday night. During the visit to the family of the deceased, CP Kanayo reassured the family, relatives, friends and the people of Enugu State that the ongoing investigation into the case would be concluded within record time and justice duly served. The CP emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force remained a disciplined organisation where erring police officers were made to face the consequences of their actions to serve as deterrence to others. He restated his sympathy and empathy to everyone affected by the unfortunate and callous murder of the musician, urging all and sundry to keep faith with the police while justice is done to the case. Meanwhile, according to the spokesperson...

  The  Imo State Police Commissioner, Aboki Danjuma, has initiated an investigation into Silas Nwamadi, the Medical Director of Goodwill Maternity in Obinze, Owerri West LGA, who allegedly withheld twin baby boys delivered at his hospital due to the mother's inability to pay the hospital bill. The police commissioner also ordered the immediate release of the twin boys, Chidindu and Chijindu, who were held at the maternity since May 4, after being delivered via a cesarean section, due to their parents’ inability to pay the medical bill. The Commissioner of Police, who gave the order at the command headquarters in Owerri, the state capital, on Thursday, stated that the medical director of the maternity, who conducted the delivery of the babies, admitted to asking the nursing mother to give him the twins in exchange for the unpaid hospital bill but claimed he said it jokingly. “The medical doctor admitted before me that he had ‘jokingly’ asked the 19-year-old mother of the twins,...

  A Senator representing Abia South in the National Assembly, Enyinnaya Abaribe has dismissed any significance attached to the appointment of Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister-designate. Recall President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Wednesday appointed Bianca, the wife of the late Biafra leader, as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Reacting to the appointment in an interview on Arise TV, Abaribe stated that the appointment will not change the perception of the South East towards the president. The former Senate Minority Leader said adding Bianca Ojukwu to his cabinet will not win Tinubu approval in the South-East region. He said: “ She deserves to be a minister in her own right but making her a minister is not meant for the South East. The point really is that those who are advising Mr. President are not giving him the proper advice. “What the South East wants is ‘do to me the way you are doing to others’. You can give it to her, she deserves it. But that will not bring the South...

  The  Magistrates' Court in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, denied bail to prominent broadcast journalist Chinonso Uba, popularly known as Nonso Nkwa, and ordered him to be remanded at the Owerri Correctional Centre on Wednesday. Uba was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate, His Worship Adikaibe, on five counts preferred against him by N.S. Onwochie, Legal Prosecution Officer, Owerri, Imo State on behalf of the state police commissioner. The five counts include conspiracy, treason and arson. At Uba’s arraignment, the prosecuting counsel appeared for the Commissioner of Police/Imo State government while C.K. Mgbekonye Esq., E.T. Okolie Esq., F. N. Obisike Esq., O. F. Olegeme, Esq. and E.N. Nwaibari, Esq. appeared for the Defendant. However, when the charges were read to the Defendant, the court did not allow him to take a plea on the ground that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the charges. The Defendant’s lead counsel, Mgbekonye, applied for Uba’s bail and urged t...

  A  shooting spree in Awka, Anambra State capital on Thursday morning, has claimed several lives. One of the sources, a student, said the shooting happened in Ifite Awka, at approximately 9:15 a.m., leaving several people dead. Ifite Awka is dominated mostly by students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The source said the shooting may not be unconnected to cultism. Last Sunday, no fewer than 12 people were gunned down in a cult-related shooting in Nibo, a town close to Awka. Another source said Thursday’s shooting happened at Ifite, close to the back gate of Unizik, Awka, not far away from Amansea Road. One of the sources said, “Gunmen just shot a guy a few minutes ago at Ifite, Awka. He’s lying lifeless.” Another eyewitness, a lecturer, said she witnessed seven lifeless bodies in the area and was forced to abandon lectures and turn back while en route to school. It is, however, not clear the actual number of victims involved in the shooting, but the State Police Public Re...

Cryptocurrency exchange company, Binance Holdings Limited, has announced that its Head of Financial Crime Compliance,  Tigran Gambaryan has left Nigeria on Thursday, October 24, after he was detained for eight months in Kuje Prison. The Bola Tinubu-led administration had abruptly withdrawn charges against Gambaryan on health grounds and after diplomatic pressures. Initial charges were brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). While dropping the charges in court on Wednesday, EFCC prosecutor stated,  “The government has reviewed the case and, taken into consideration that the second defendant (Mr Gambaryan) is an employee of the first defendant (Binance Holdings Limited), whose status in the matter has more impact than the second defendant’s, and also taking into consideration some critical international and diplomatic reasons, the state seeks to discontinue the case against the second defendant”. It was gathered that Tigran was allowed to leav...

  Controversial Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye popularly known as Bobrisky, has reportedly fallen ill while in detention at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos. After spending the night in a police cell, Bobrisky was rushed to Falomo Police Hospital for medical attention. A source confirmed the development, stating that he was transferred from the FCID to the hospital for treatment. The source said,  “Bobrisky complained of ‘breast’ pain and was rushed to the Police Hospital in the Falomo area of Lagos around 2:00 p.m. in an ambulance with the plate number LND 339L. He wore a black gown, covered his face with a shawl, and lay down in the ambulance.” Bobrisky was taken into custody on Monday night by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) following his arrest at the Seme border in Lagos during an alleged attempt to leave the country. There are indications that he may remain in detention as detectives continue to investigate t...

  Popular Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar  has come out to apologize to Nigerian cleric, Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries for defaming him. Abubakar admitted to spreading falsehood against Suleman and causing him pain via social media. The drama between Halima Abubakar and Apostle Suleman started in 2022 when the actress became bedridden following her altercation with the clergyman. While sick, the actress’s family took to social media to call out the clergyman to stay away from her. But, many alleged that the actress was battling an autoimmune disease which she debunked by sharing her medical report. However, Halima Abubakar sought the apology of Apostle Suleman in a letter sent to the clergyman. She also expressed deep regrets for tarnishing his image, hoping her letter could repair the damage to an extent. The letter reads:  “I admit that I made false allegations against you and also regret my action and the damage I caused to you, your wife, Dr Lizz...

  The  money laundering charges filed against an executive of Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambaryan, have been withdrawn by the federal government. Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC had in April this year, arraigned Binance, a cryptocurrency firm, and Gambaryan over alleged money laundering. Mr Gambaryan, a United States citizen, has been in detention since February following the clampdown on the cryptocurrency firm over alleged manipulation of naira. A lawyer representing the EFCC announced the withdrawal of the charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday. Announcing the development, the lawyer said Mr Gambaryan was merely an employee of Binance, whose activities he was being prosecuted for.